Um… hey?

I am so sorry for not updating earlier! Do I have an excuse? Yes, yes I do. The first two weeks after the last chapter I was very busy and didn't have time to write. When I did have time… well, two words: writer's block.

Well, onto the many reviews! Thank you guys so much!

Coco Baldwin: Actually I'm very open about my emotions, it was just so hard to write that. I rewrote the reunion FOUR times, and spent about four hours on it…

Aquila Aqua: Yeah, the experiment… not sure about that myself. I just 'go with the flow'~!

Animago: Thank you, I'm glad you liked the reunion. I really worked hard on it…

seshhxkagii99: Well, I'm glad you like it. I just write whatever I come up with and hope it ends up good… here is your Okinawa moment!

Guest: I think Tenma will tell in the next chapter. Please look forward to it!

StarBrightZorua: You are evil XD Well, the experiment is completed but the limits are still unknown. They can control each other though, but that will come later. And don't forget, the super Einstein twins have other experiments too~! Maybe they do have something like mind control and will use it on Tenma and Haru later?

Frwt: Sorry for the late update…

Nishime Asako: Hahaha, I'm glad you liked it. In my eyes, I'm not very good at writing funny stories… not enough experience, so it makes me happy to see you enjoyed it!

Hey: Glad you liked it! It took me four times to get the reunion right~!

Tsurugi Ann: Sure, you can call me Yara. It's my name here, after all! Well, I was sick. I was bored and I had too much inspiration. Haha, nope, the sequel will come in a few more chapters…

Guest: Um… you're welcome? Hahaha, I'm happy you enjoyed the last chapter~!

Guest: Here it is~!

Sai Og Sus: Glad you enjoyed it!

Eme Hire: Here is the next chapter! Glad you enjoy this story~!

Guest: Sequel won't come just yet, there will be a few more chapters for Stand!

IeGbestfriend: A 50-50, huh? Well, Stand will get a… not-happy ending. Maybe not sad, but definitely not a good one. But I think I understand what you mean with the whole win-lose-lose-win thing, that's what I had in mind for the ending. The name of the sequel… I'm still thinking about it. 'Through' is on my list, but 'Run' is also an option… You're writing a fanfic? Are you also publishing it? If so, I'd be interested in reading it. Yeah, Lyra Mae Rose's story is nice as well. Your first review ever? Wow, I'm honored to receive it then! Hahaha, no I don't mind such a long review, actually it inspires me to write more, knowing people take so much time to react on my story. A scene between Tsurugi and Yuuichi… wait you just gave me inspiration for the sequel! Thanks, I think that brotherly moment will definitely be there! Yeah, Natsumi and Endou need more time together, same goes for the old Raimon Trio. No, no, you didn't overdo the review at all ;) I'll respond to your second review too, okay? Nope, not the end just yet. Quite a few more chapters for Stand. Still thinking about the name, not sure when it'll be released. The fourth time? O.O Wow I'm honored you like it so much! And it made you cry? I'm glad you think it's so well-written!

kidd: Now~

Crazy-chan707: Well, Tenma is definitely going to tell his friends about the experimenting, just not in this chapter yet. Probably the next one.

mikan26: Here is the next chapter, hope you like it~!

Guest: Right now!

Thank you for all the reviews, and again, sorry for not updating sooner!

Disclaimer: don't own, bla bla bla, we all know how it works, etc. etc.

Well, here it is! Enjoy!

After a moment, they let go, and look at each other for a moment. Both of them are looking more relaxed, like a weight has been lifted from their shoulders. And in a way, it has. Tenma smiles brightly at Taiyou and breaks eye contact, turning to face the others.

Raimon looks peaceful, as they have finally mended their bonds. When the brunet sees Hakuryuu and Shuu, the ones who have helped him when no one else did, and he shows them a genuine, grateful smile. Words are not needed, as the three of them exactly understand what the others mean. Instead, the other two just smile back.

Endou walks forward, a small smile playing on his lips. ''It's good to finally have you back,'' he says to Tenma. ''You have no idea how worried we were.''

''You don't have to worry,'' says Tenma with a bright smile on his face. ''After all, everything will work out somehow!''

The coach chuckles, and nods. ''If you say so,'' he mutters good-naturally, and then smiles widely at everyone present.

''Let's go home.''

Shuu and Hakuryuu walk towards Tenma after Endou announced that they would be leaving in a few minutes. ''Matsukaze, are you okay?'' asks Hakuryuu softly when the two reach Tenma.

Tenma sighs and gets a faraway look in his one visible eye. Shuu places a hand on his shoulder and gazes at the brunet worriedly. ''Tenma, what's wrong?''

''The-'' Tenma cuts himself off, lowering his voice. ''The experiment is complete.'' The eyes of his two friends widen in shock. ''The reason why I had to go to the hospital was because the experiment was reaching the last phase, at least, that's what Haru just told me.''

''What changed?'' asks Shuu in an equally soft voice, glancing around to make sure no one is in hearing range. ''What happened to you two?''

''I'm not sure yet,'' admits Tenma. ''We haven't had the time to find out more about our bond yet. Though we have a constant telepathic link now. If I want, I can hear Haru's thoughts, but I can also send him a message. It's like our minds are bonded the entire time, but only when we want it the other really hears us. Otherwise it's just a soft humming in the back of my head,'' explains the brunet. ''Furthermore, we can influence each other's actions, consciously and unconsciously, though I don't know how much… maybe we can take total control of the other's body, but I'm not sure. I can also look through Haru's eyes, and I can feel his emotions.''

Hakuryuu whistles softly. ''Wow, that's not nothing. And I'm sure it's not everything yet, right?''

Tenma nods. ''Hai. We just haven't had the chance to find our limits yet…'' then he smiles. ''And I really want to eat candy now. Haru's influencing me unconsciously…''

Shuu sweat-drops. ''Ah… yeah, you said something about Haru-san having a sweet tooth…''

''What are you guys talking about?'' interrupts a voice suddenly, and the three look up to see Kurumada looking at them.

The brunet resists the urge to look at Shuu and Hakuryuu, knowing that that would only raise suspicion. Instead, he goes for a half-truth. ''I want candy,'' he says simply.

This earns the attention of his friends, as everyone looks at him in surprise. Usually, the Raimon midfielder doesn't care much about candy. ''What's with you and candy today?'' asks Kurama in a faked annoyed tone. ''You were talking about it earlier and you even bought a bag filled with the stuff too.''

The people who don't know about Haru's and Tenma's link look at the brunet again. Said brunet just shrugs. ''I think I'm developing a sweet tooth,'' he answers honestly, not mentioning anything about Haru. Even though his friends know about him, he doesn't know how they will react if the brunet talks about his redheaded friend.

''A sweet tooth,'' repeats Tsurugi. ''Why?''

Tenma mentally frowns. 'You are far too sharp, Tsurugi. I really don't want to mention Haru…'

''What, you think my charming personality will be too much for them?''

Tenma pointedly ignores the voice in his head, and instead focuses on the forward. ''I don't care why! I just want candy!'' he whines, earning sweat-drops from the others.

Hamano raises his hands, resting them behind his head. ''You're not gonna stop whining until you get candy, are you?'' Tenma just grins brightly at him in answer, and the second-year sighs. ''Fine, I think I saw a candy shop not too far away.'' The boy looks at his teammates for a moment. ''Be back in a minute!''

Tenma follows Hamano through the streets of Tokyo. The older boy grins at him, eyes softening ever so slightly. ''Good to have you back.''

The brunet looks at him in slight surprise. It's not like he has a bad relation with Hamano, but they don't really talk a lot either, at least not as much as with other people.

The older midfielder smiles when he sees the confused look in Tenma's one eye. ''Hey, I don't want you running off again,'' he chuckles, ''and I want some candy too.''

Tenma laughs softly, before turning serious. ''Hamano-senpai… I'm sorry for making you all worry and causing trouble.''

The other waves lazily with one hand. ''Don't worry about it too much. After all, this is Raimon we're talking about. We're always causing trouble one way or another!'' he grins, and his gaze falls on a small shop. ''There it is!''

That gets Tenma's attention, and when they enter the shop he looks around in wonder. Hamano chuckles awkwardly, swearing he can see sparkles in Tenma's eye. The brunet ignores him in favor of picking out different candies, getting advice from Haru.

''Oh, that one's nice! And that one!'' as Haru tells Tenma carefully which lollipops he should avoid because they 'taste worse than crap', the other Raimon player looks around for some candy himself, while keeping an eye on his young captain.

After a few minutes of picking out candy, the two of them pay for it and leave the shop, Tenma almost looking like he's glowing as he happily eats his candies.

That's when he bumps into someone, and the brunet falls on the ground (making sure his candy stays unharmed). Tenma looks up, seeing five boys of his own age.

The first boy chuckles apologetically. ''Oh, sorry! Didn't notice you there!'' he has dark hair and eyes, and has a soccer ball in his hands.

Tenma shakes his head. ''No, I'm sorry, I didn't look where I was walking,'' he says, standing up. Then a sudden gust of wind blows his hood off, and the brunet freezes.

The eyes of the boys in front of him widen in shock, and time seems to slow for a second. Then the first boy finds his voice again. ''N-no way…'' He mutters. ''You- you're Matsukaze Tenma!''

Of course, he shouted it.

And of course, everyone in a ten meter radius heard it. The people surrounding the boys look around in surprise when they hear the familiar name – after all, who doesn't know the name of Inazuma Japan's captain? The captain that is supposed to be missing right now.

A few people take out there phones when they recognize the brunet, ready to call the police or take pictures. Tenma's one visible eye widens as he slowly backs away, feeling very much like a deer in the spotlights. ''Did he say Matsukaze?'' the people begin to whisper. ''That missing soccer player! What is he doing here?''

Hamano moves protectively in front of his captain, going so far as to glare at the other people in the street. ''Hey, cut it out!'' he says, but the people don't listen. ''Tch,'' the second-year turns around to face the brunet behind him. ''Put up your hood,'' he mutters lowly.

Tenma stares at him in confusion, but does what his senpai instructed anyway. He pulls up his hood, and before he has a chance to react, Hamano grabs his wrist and starts to run.

''Hey! Wait!'' calls the boy who Tenma walked into, but the two ignore him.

They break through the people surrounding them, and run through Tokyo's streets back to the hospital. A moment later, the bus comes in view, with their friends surrounding it.

''Hamano! Tenma!'' calls Shindou worriedly when he notices the two. ''What's wrong?''

They stop when they reach the bus, and Tenma tries to catch his breath while Hamano explains their situation. ''We walked into some guys, soccer players, and Tenma's hood blew off. The soccer players attracted the attention of everyone within ten meters, so we had to make a run for it.''

''Ahaha… you really get into trouble no matter what, huh…'' Haru mentally sweat-drops.

Tenma blushes. 'I-it's not my fault..!'

''Hai, hai.''

Tenma is brought back by Shindou's next words. ''We're ready to go. Let's get in the bus.''

The Raimon players enter the bus. Tenma looks around, before spotting a free seat next to Tsurugi. The brunet smiles at his friend as he sits down, and Tsurugi allows a small smile to appear on his face.

Soon after, all the teens and the coach are in the Raimon bus, and a minute later the bus leaves in the direction of Inazuma Town. Shuu and Hakuryuu decided to come to, instead of going back to God Eden.

''Tsurugi! Why can you sit next to Tenma?'' asks a pouting Shinsuke.

The forward shrugs, and answers in an emotionless voice. ''Because I was sitting here first and Tenma decided to sit next to me,'' he says.

Shinsuke's pout grows, and Taiyou – who is sitting next to Shinsuke – grins mischievously. ''No fair! I wanted to sit next to Tenma, too!''

Said brunet chuckles and sweat-drops. ''Uh… guys…''

''You stay out of this,'' says Taiyou immediately, fake-glaring at the brunet. Shinsuke nods, and Tsurugi just sighs, as the fighting goes on.

''Wow. You've got fans.''

Tenma blinks in surprise. 'Haru!' then he leans back in his chair. 'What are you doing?'

''What?'' asks Haru with faked hurt. ''You don't want to talk to me anymore?''

The brunet sweat-drops again. 'I already have to deal with Taiyou and my entire team, and now you are starting too?'

Haru snickers. ''Well, considering how many people want your attention, I'm just a small extra, right?''

'You are in my head. I can't exactly ignore you, no matter how much I want to,' points Tenma out.

The redhead laughs again, before turning serious. ''But what do we do now? You're back with Raimon, and they'll want to know what is going on… are we going to tell them about our bond?''

The brunet frowns, as he scans his teammates. They all look happy and relaxed. He sighs. 'They have a right to know… but…'

''It would be really weird,'' agrees Haru, who has felt the meaning behind Tenma's words. ''At least my teammates know about the experimenting, they're all part of it, so they won't think much of it…''

'Hai…'

''Tenma?'' the brunet looks up when he hears his name. Shuu is looking at him from the seat in front of his, and raises an eyebrow when he notices that he has his attention. Tenma ticks on the side of his head, and the dark-haired boy nods in realization. ''What will happen now?'' he asks quietly, so that only Hakuryuu, who is sitting next to him, and Tsurugi, who is still fighting with Taiyou and Shinsuke, can hear him.

Tenma bites his lip. ''We're still thinking about it,'' he admits, and Shuu nods in understanding when he hears the 'we'.

On the outside, their conversation sounds vague, while Tenma, Shuu, Hakuryuu and Haru all understand the meaning of the words.

''Hmm… they were the ones who helped you, weren't they?'' asks Haru thoughtfully. At the feeling of confirmation Tenma sends him, he relaxes a bit. ''Could you please thank them for me?''

Tenma smiles, and looks back to Hakuryuu and Shuu. ''He wants to thank you for helping me.''

Shuu's eyes light up in understanding, and he smiles back at Tenma. ''Tell him he's welcome.''

'You heard that?' asks the brunet.

''Yep! He seems like a nice guy!'' answers Haru cheerfully. Tenma doesn't answer, his cheerful mood fading away, replaced by feelings of uncertainty and wondering. ''Tenma?'' asks Haru in a slightly worried tone when he feels the brunet's emotions through their bond. ''What's wrong?''

'Well… remember that call after you went back to Kanashimi Jr High?' asks Tenma quietly. He can feel the redhead's confusion, and Tenma sends him his memories of the phone call. 'You eavesdropped on the Ishikawa twins…'

It feels like a light is turned on in Haru's mind. ''Yes. What about it?''

'Well…' Tenma hesitates, before continuing. 'You told me what you heard, about what would happen to us. So I was wondering… how far goes our bond now? What can we do together?'

It's Haru's turn to be serious, as he ponders over his friend's words. ''Yeah… if I remember correctly, they said we'd have an emotional link, which we do… I can feel your emotions, and you can feel mine. We have access to each other's memories, and we can enter the other's mind, though we don't know how deep we can go.''

'I'm not sure if I even want to try that.' Tenma suppresses a shudder. 'I trust you, but I just feel so vulnerable when you do that.'

''Agreed,'' says Haru immediately. ''Way too close for comfort. Maybe we can practice it slowly… but that's something for later. We would also get a lasting, constant telepathic link, which we do. Then the last part.''

'Synchronization.' Tenma frowns in thought, trying to figure out what that means. He notices absentmindedly that Haru is trying to come to a solution too, but the redhead is not having any more luck. 'When we were in our minds, we did move and talk in sync, but is that really everything-'

''Tenma?'' the brunet looks up, meeting Shindou's brown eyes that inspect the younger boy with an unreadable look in them. ''You okay? You looked like you spaced out there for a moment.''

Tenma smiles brightly at him. ''I'm fine! Just thinking!''

''About what? You looked pretty serious.'' Tsurugi seems to have decided to ignore Taiyou and Shinsuke, who have finally fallen silent. Somehow, the entire bus seems to have gone quiet, waiting for the brunet's reply.

Tenma decides in a split second, and a full-out grin appears on his face. ''Soccer! I haven't touched a soccer ball in days!'' he takes a candy from his back and eats with a blissful expression on his face.

His friends sweat-drop at his actions, and Shindou chuckles. ''So, what have you been doing if it's not soccer?''

''Tell them, I'm okay with it,'' mutters Haru when he feels Tenma's uncertainty about the answer to the question.

The brunet shoots his friend a small thank you, before focusing on the game maker again. ''Hmm…'' he tilts his head in thought. ''Well, I've been avoiding you guys,'' he says, ignoring the obvious flinch from his friends, ''and we went to a hospital to talk to a girl there… We went to a café where we met up with some people, and the next day we broke into a school!'' he says, grinning brightly at the others. ''And then we had to go to a hospital again, and we escaped from there. Then I got chased around by some guys and I ran into Sangoku-senpai and Kurama-senpai.''

''Y-you what?!'' exclaims a shocked Kariya, as he stares wide-eyed at his brown-haired friend.

Shuu catches on and joins the conversation. ''Hm-hm. It was quite the adventure, actually,'' he says, smiling at the shocked faces. ''Though that time when we were almost caught was really nerve-wracking!''

Tenma nods in agreement. ''Which time? The school or the hospital?''

Shuu sighs and shakes his head. ''Both.''

Hakuryuu stares at the two of them, before smirking. ''Are you trying to give Raimon a heart attack?'' at the innocent looks the two are giving him, he sighs and shakes his head. ''Never mind.''

Haru is snickering softly as he listens absentmindedly to Tenma and Shuu's conversation. Raimon's reactions are hilarious! He sighs, a content smile on his face, as he stares out of the window of the train. The landscape flashes by, blue and green.

Soon, the train starts to slow. When it completely stops, Haru stands up and grabs his bag. A moment later he stands in the fresh midday air, staring at the sky. White cotton clouds float around lazily, and Haru inhales deeply. He starts to walk, an almost unnoticeable bounce in his steps.

Soon after he sees the familiar white building. He enters the building, immediately walking through the halls. He stops in front of a door at the third floor and knocks twice, immediately entering the room.

The girl on the bed looks up, and stares at him in shock. The redhead smiles warmly and walks to the chair next to the bed. ''Hey Ayu,'' he says softly.

''Nii-san!'' Ayumi attacks her brother with a hug, her smile lighting up the room. ''I've missed you so much!'' her long red hair hides her face as she holds on to the boy.

Haru hugs her back and strokes her hair. ''I've missed you too,'' he mutters softly.

After a while, the girl pulls away and looks up at her brother. Her eyes widen and she gasps. ''Nii-san, are you okay?!'' Haru blinks at her in confusion, and the girl slowly raises her hand to touch the bandage around his eye. ''What happened to you?'' Haru bites his lip, hesitating. The red-haired girl looks up with big, lime green eyes. ''Nii-san?''

'Haru, she's worried about you,' Tenma's voice suddenly sounds through his head. 'She's a smart girl. You can't keep her in the dark,' he warns.

Haru frowns. ''Are you saying I should just tell my twelve-year-old sister I am being used as an illegal lab rat?'' he snaps. He can feel the stunned surprise from Tenma at his words, and immediately feels guilty. ''Sorry. I shouldn't have said that,'' he apologizes.

The brunet mentally smiles at him. 'Don't worry, I get it. You're just worried. And I'm not saying you should tell her everything, but tell her something. She needs to know, Haru. I won't force you to, but please, just listen to what I said.'

Haru thinks, his sister keeping quiet as she sees how deep in thought he is. As the male redhead inspects her for a moment, he gives in. ''Fine.''

''I'm… look, Ayumi, you've met Tenma, right?'' he doesn't need to ask, for he has already seen Tenma's memories about the events, but he needs a way to start the conversation.

The girl nods immediately. ''Hai, Tenma-san came here a few days ago.''

Haru nods a few times, trying to think of what to say. After a moment, he sighs and decides to just 'go with the flow'. ''Well I met Tenma for the first time officially three weeks after our match. We became fast friends, and from then on things became… complicated.'' He sighs and groans. ''I have no idea how to tell you this…'' he mutters under his breath.

His sister hears him, and takes one of his hands in hers. ''Nii-san, I… you don't have to tell me, if you don't want to,'' she says softly, sad eyes looking up at her brother. ''But just… just promise me you'll be alright?''

Haru stares at her with surprised eyes, but then smiles warmly and ruffles her hair. ''I can't promise that,'' he says and Ayumi frowns. Before she can say anything, however, he continues. ''But I do promise that I will do my best, okay? That's all I can say for now.''

Ayumi stares the older redhead for a moment, and then slowly nods. ''Okay.''

The boy sighs in relief and pulls the girl in a hug. ''Thanks, Ayu. Now tell me about how you've been doing,'' he says, pulling back. ''Hospital food still as bad as you said?'' he grins mischievously.

His sister makes a gagging noise. ''Worse,'' she mutters, and Haru laughs. Then the disgusted scowl disappears from her face and she looks up happily. ''But I'm getting better! And mom and dad said that we'd go out this weekend to celebrate! And they even got permission from your school so you can come too!''

Haru's face lights up like a kid on Christmas. ''Really? That's great, Ayumi!'' he's really happy his sister is feeling better. Even since she was young, she's had a very frail health.

'That's great news, Haru!' sounds a happy voice through his head, and Haru grins.

''I know right? It almost makes all this stuff worth it!'' then he calms down a bit. ''Well, maybe not… but it at least keeps me motivated.''

Tenma chuckles. 'Hai, that's true.'

After the two hour ride from Tokyo to Inazuma Town, the familiar buildings finally come into view. Tenma leans towards the window to catch a glimpse of the town that is his home.

Tsurugi watches him amusement. ''There's a surprise tomorrow at the Paradise Stadium,'' he says, and Tenma looks surprised at him.

''Hmm? A surprise? What is it?'' he asks, but Tsurugi just smiles at him, not answering. After a few seconds of staring at the forward, the brunet realizes he won't get an answer and leans back in his seat, pointedly turning his head away from Tsurugi with a huff.

While the other snickers, Tenma leans to the other side to watch the coach, who is sitting in the front. ''Coach!''

The man turns around. ''Yes?''

''Where are we going?'' asks Tenma, and Endou grins at him.

''Aki's. You have no idea how worried she's been,'' he says, and Tenma looks down guiltily. The coach smiles encouragingly at him. ''Tomorrow we will start training at the Paradise Stadium again, that is, if you're up to it.''

The brunet grins. ''Of course I am!''

Ten minutes later the bus stops in front of the familiar house. Tenma takes a deep breath and follows his friends as they exit the bus. They all stare at him expectantly.

Quietly, Tenma walks up to the front door, his friends standing a few meter behind him. He raises his hand to press the bell, but stops when he sees his hand trembling.

'I'm… shaking?'

Suddenly he hears a familiar voice in his head. ''Calm down, it'll be okay.''

Haru sends him comforting feelings through their bond, and a small fleeting smile crosses his face as the brunet presses the doorbell.

The sounds of footsteps can be heard from inside the house, and then the door opens.

Aki's smile falls from her face the moment she sees who is standing in front of her door, and she freezes. Tenma gives her a hesitant smile. ''Um… hey, Aki-nee.''

''That the best you can come up with?'' mutters Haru in disbelief. ''She's been worried crazy, and all you have to say is 'hey'?''

Tenma doesn't get the chance to respond however, as Aki seems to be pulled back to the present and wraps her arms around him.

The brunet is frozen for a second, and Haru's voice wakes him up from his shock. ''Hug her back, baka,'' hisses the redhead and the brunet quickly wraps his own arms around his cousin's waist.

After a while the woman steps back, keeping her hands on Tenma's shoulders. ''Where have you been, young man?'' she asks, tears staining her cheeks and a mix of worry, anger and relief on her face.

Tenma smiles weakly, not used to seeing his caretaker angry. ''Um… around?'' he mutters, but the woman doesn't seem to hear him.

''Never do that again, understand?''

The brunet looks down. ''Hai, Aki-nee. Gomennasai.''

The woman ruffles his hair and hugs him again, a short one this time. ''Good.'' She then looks at Endou and smiles, wiping her tears away. ''Thank you, Endou-kun.'' Her eyes fall on the teens a few feet behind her cousin. ''Well, don't just stand there! Come in, I just made cookies!''

''They escaped! They fucking escaped again!''

Jirou shivers at the angry voice of his brother. They are in their secret lab, Kazuo releasing his anger on the steel walls by punching them and actually leaving holes. The younger shrinks back in fear as his brother demolishes the place.

Kazuo turns around to look at his brother, sapphire blazing with unconcealed fury. ''You,'' he hisses, and a shiver goes down the younger's spine. ''You should've- should've done something! If you just… if you weren't such a weakling we wouldn't- I would- that brat would be-'' Kazuo stumbles over his words in anger, and walks towards his brother like a predator would to its cornered prey.

The younger walks back, hands held up in front of him in a vain attempt to stop his twin brother. ''Nii-san, please-''

''Don't call me brother!''

Jirou flinches at the angry tone, still stumbling backwards. His eyes widen in fear when his back hits the wall and he realizes he has nowhere to run.

Kazuo realizes it too and grins, showing his teeth. His face is crunched up in anger, his tousled hair falling in front of his sapphire eyes that seem to glow dangerously.

''You ruined my life,'' spats the older out through gritted teeth. ''You were always, always so weak. You couldn't do anything on your own. I was the one who had to solve your problems, I was the one who had to pay for your mistakes! I could've been the perfect son dad wanted, but because I had to protect you I never had the chance. I got hurt for you, I let you use me as a shield when dad was angry again, angry at you! And you can't even pay me back properly!''

During his angry rant the director slowly got closer, until he is only a few inches away from the coach. Pure fear is visible on Jirou's face, and his voice trembles when he tries to speak. ''Please, I… I never meant to-''

''Shut up!'' Kazuo's hands close around his brother's throat, and the younger tries to get the air his body needs, but to no avail. Kazuo's eyes are clouded over like he is in a world of his own, and he continues talking without realizing he is slowly choking his younger brother. ''How many times have I gotten hit for you? Punched, kicked, cut? Do you know what I had to give up for you? We always did everything together! You promised me we would always do everything together!'' another emotion wells up in his eyes, the despair mixing with the fury. ''But that changed! That all changed when Raimon came and beat our team! When I needed you the most you left me to take the hits! You broke our promise and I let myself take your punishment!''

Jirou has stopped fighting for air and just stares at the other in sorrow. The anger and hate has disappeared from Kazuo's face and is replaced by some childlike sadness.

Even though his body screams for him to fight the man that is slowly killing him, Jirou fights his instincts and places a hand on his brother's cheek. Kazuo looks up, his sapphire eyes glassy, and the coach forces a smile through the burning of his lungs. ''G-gomen… Nii-san…'' he whispers, forcing the precious oxygen from his lungs.

Kazuo lessens his grip, the tears in his eyes threatening to fall down his cheeks. His brother gulps down the air while the older leans his head on Jirou's shoulder. ''Promise me, Jirou…'' whispers the director in an almost whiny voice. ''Promise me… you'll never leave me alone? Right?'' his voice is filled with a childlike plea.

Jirou closes his eyes, leaning his head against the wall. ''Hai, Nii-san,'' he answers softly. ''I'll never leave you alone.''

His sapphire eyes open, filled with a mix of sorrow, fear and pity.

''I promise.''

The soccer players are gathered in Aki's living room, enjoying the fresh chocolate chip cookies the woman has baked. They laugh at a funny story from Kurumada and then fall in a satisfied silence, enjoying their cookies.

The silence is broken by the third-year who just finished his story. ''Hey, Tenma,'' he says, and the brunet looks up.

''Hai?''

''Is it true you come from Okinawa?'' the other soccer players look up, also interested in their captain's past.

Tenma blinks in surprise and nods. ''Hai. How did you know that?''

''I told them when we were looking for you,'' says Aoi and smiles at her childhood friend.

''How come you never told us about it?'' asks Shindou, and Tenma shrugs.

''I guess it just never came up,'' he answers and then looks at his friends. ''Why? Do you want to hear about it?'' when his friends nod, he pauses for a moment to think. ''Hmm… well, I was just a normal kid with a normal family. No siblings or something, two happily married parents and a very stubborn grandma,'' he smiles to himself at the thought of his family. ''When I was three I got in an accident with some balks, a puppy and a soccer ball.''

The ones who know the story smile. At the mention of a puppy, Sasuke, who was lying at Tenma's feet, lifts his head and gives his owner's a hand a lick. The brunet laughs and pets him. ''You know all about that, don't you Sasuke?'' he leans back and continues the story. ''That's where my love for soccer started, and I started practicing on my own. Everything was fine for a few years, until I reached my seventh birthday. My father got a promotion and started to work more. He started to work more and was often tired… I, being a naïve seven-year-old kid I was, didn't realize this, and my father…''

Tenma's nostalgic smile has been replaced by a frown. The atmosphere is suddenly a lot colder and thicker. ''He…'' Shindou hesitates for a moment but then continues. ''He didn't abuse you, did he?''

The brunet's eyes widen, and he shakes his head rapidly. ''No! No, not at all,'' his friends relax, ''he just snapped at me. My mom didn't really like this and tried to talk to him, but he didn't listen. Eventually, when I was eight, she sent me away to live with Aki-nee. That was the plan all along, because I wanted to go to Raimon and Aki-nee lives in Inazuma Town, but it happened faster than we planned because of my dad. I started school here while my mom and grandma talked some sense into my father. They got through to him, and when I was nine I met him again and everything was solved. Because I would be going to Raimon Junior High anyway, we decided it would be easier if I just continued living here with Aki-nee.''

His friends relax, intrigued by their captain's earlier life. ''You never told me your past was so eventful,'' mutters Shindou. ''Even though you told me about the accident.''

Tenma shrugs, a bit uncomfortable. ''I didn't think it was relevant…'' he says, and takes another cookie.

The rest of the time they tell more stories, avoiding any heavy topics for now, but everyone knows they will have to talk sooner or later.

They just aren't sure when that will be.

That night, after his friends have left and the guest rooms for Hakuryuu and Shuu are prepared, Tenma sighs as he gets ready to go to sleep.

''I guess we both had a rough day, huh?'' asks Haru sleepily, and Tenma gives a humored hum. ''You with your team, me with my sister…''

'Yeah, and we're kind of in this together so everything that happened to me was just as important to you,' answers Tenma as he brushes his teeth.

''True,'' replies Haru absentmindedly. With a quick glance through their bond Tenma notices that the redhead is brushing his hair in front of a mirror.

He then does a double take, because his red-haired friend has his hair down. 'Wow, your hair is really long,' he says, still looking through the other's eyes. Haru's flaming red hair is reaching past his shoulder blades, and the mirror shows the redhead's blushing face.

''I look like a girl,'' mutters the Kanashimi player mentally, taking the opportunity to look through Tenma's eyes. ''And you look completely normal.'' An annoyed undertone sounds through his mental voice.

Tenma puts his toothbrush away absentmindedly, focused on both the vision from his own eyes and the vision through Haru's orange orbs.

Both their visions are a bit strange because they're both wearing a bandage around their left eye. Haru feels where the brunet's thoughts are going, and realizes something. ''I think the bleeding stopped.''

The brunet blinks in surprise. 'Really?' he realizes the other is right. 'Wait, now that you mention it…'

''Do you think it's safe to take the bandages off?'' asks Haru curiously, touching the material covering his eye.

Without realizing it, the brunet copies his movement perfectly and at the exact same time. 'I don't know… probably. I mean, the experiment is complete, right?' then another thought comes to him, and he can't hide the fear in his mind. 'Do you think we're blind?'

''What? No, of course not!'' but the redhead can feel the fear welling up in his stomach. ''Well… I guess there's only one way to find out…''

'You sure?' asks Tenma hesitantly, and is answers by a wave of reassuring feelings.

''We'll do this together, okay?''

Tenma shakes his head to clear his thoughts and then nods, knowing the other is looking through his eyes like he is looking through Haru's. 'Okay. On three.'

''One,'' the redhead's voice is unwavering, not showing his fear at all.

The brunet swallows, his throat dry, hands reaching behind his head. 'Two.'

The two friends untie the bandages, their hands being the only thing keeping the white material in place. '''Three!''' they say together, and let the bandages fall away.

Tenma blinks, his left eye slowly getting used to the sudden light. 'Well, at least it's not bleeding,' he says and Haru snorts.

''And we're not blind.''

Then the brunet looks in the mirror, and freezes.

''Oh… my god…'' whispers Haru in a shocked tone. ''Are… are you seeing this?''

'Y-yes,' whispers Tenma back, stunned, still staring at his reflection.

One grey and one orange eye stare back.

Yes, that really happened. Personally, I think it's awesome.

A bit more information on the Ishikawa twins… this is thanks to my best friend (who doesn't have an account), who helped me think of a back story for them.

Tenma will (probably) tell his friends about the experimenting next chapter, so look forward to it!

Thank you guys so much for supporting me with your favorites, follows and reviews! And a special thanks to my friend Eme Hire, who, once again, helped me write this chapter with her advice. Thank you very much, Yaa-chan~! :)

- Yara Meijer